Sevier County property of William Moon (1744-1822) and his descendants

 

The proof of the line from William Moon (1744 - 1822) to son John (1774) to William (abt1800)
is attributed to the land that was passed down from father to son.

• William (1744-1822) had 385 acres surveyed in March 1807, and this land was granted
   to him in October 1808 as Tennessee State Land Grant No. 385A

   

• William (1744-1822) dies, and there is some disagreement between his sons John and
  Jonas about their father's estate. The issue (and satisfactory resolution) is recorded in
  the minutes of the Forks of the Little Pigeon Baptist Church in 1824-1825.

   

• In 1827, John Moon acquires an additional 45 acre land grant in Sevier county TN
  adjoining the original property owned by his father William Moon (1744-1822).
  
  

• In 1837, John Moon's wife Susannah appears in the tax list as property owner of the above
  land. It is assumed John has passed away. William Moon (1800) also appears, though
  without any property.
  
  

• Susannah passes away sometime after 1837. William (1800) and his family appear in the
  1840 census. However, about 1841, William dies and his widow Asenith marries Tunis Scott.

• An indenture filed in 1846 describes Asenith and Tunis Scott as selling the property of
  "the deceased William Moon" to pay debts. Asenith Scott is described as the widow of
  William Moon.  In the 1850s after the death of Asenith Scott, there are a several quit claim
  deeds by the children of William and Asenith Moon relinquishing their claim to the same
  land from the original land grants.

   

Moons in the Northumberland County PA records

 1772 - Northumberland County PA created from parts of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks,
Bedford, and Northampton counties.

1774 – William Moon assessed in Penn Township (according to The Snyder Co. Pioneers)

1774 – Casper Moon Sr., assessed in Penn Township (according to The Snyder Co. Pioneers) 

1775 – 1783 Muster rolls of the Navy and Line, Militia and Rangers:  John Moon and
Thomas Moon in John Moll’s Company, 3rd Battalion of Northumberland Co., militia

1776 – William Moon, Casper Moon Jr., Casper Moon Sr., included in list of inhabitants of
Penn’s Township, Northumberland County,  January 1776 in the Annals of Buffalo Valley

1776 – Nathaniel Moon, Ensign, 4th Battalion of Northumberland Co Militia

1778 – John Moon, Casper Moon Jr., included in list of additional inhabitants of Penn’s Township
in the Annals of Buffalo Valley

1778 – 1782 Penn’s Township, Northumberland Co, Pa tax lists Samuel Horn, John Manning,
Richard Manning, Caspar Moon, Thomas Moon, Caspar Moon Sr., John Moon, William Moon,
and James Moon

1778 – 1785 Nathaniel Moon, Private, Capt. George Grant’s Co., 9th PA Regiment commanded
by Col. Richard Butler

1779 – Thomas Moon, Sergeant, Capt. John Mull’s Co., 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Co Militia

1779 – John Moon, Sergeant, Capt. John Mull’s Co., 3rd Battalion, Northumberland Co. Militia

1779 – William Moon, Private, Capt. Weaver’s Co., Militia of the 5th and 6th class, 3rd Battalion. 
Also in the Revolutionary War Rolls 1775-1783 3rd Battalion of Northumberland Co Militia

1780 – John Moon , Private listed in pay roll of Lieut. Jacob Bard’s party of
Northumberland Co. Militia

1780 – Thomas Moon, James Moon, Samuel Horn listed among residents of Penn’s Township in
1780, in the Annals of Buffalo Valley

1781 – Casper Moone Jr., John Moone, Casper Moone, Thomas Moone, John Manning
Northumberland County PA tax assessment

1781 – Daniel Moone Northumberland County PA single freemen tax

1782 – William Moon, Casper Moon, Richard Manning, Casper Moon Jr., John Moon,
Thomas Moon Northumberland County Federal supply tax

1783 – 1784  Casper Moon, Richard Manning, John Moon, Andrew Moon, George Moon
Northumberland County PA Federal Supply tax

1784 – Warrantees of land in the county of Northumberland, PA John Moon, Richard Manning

1784 – John Moon, land warrant for 300 acres, Penn’s township, Northumberland Co. PA

1785 - Tax Lists Northumberland Co PA: Casper Moon, John Moon, Richard Manning

1785 – Supply and tax lists Northumberland Co, PA:  John Moon

1786 – Tax lists Northumberland Co PA:  John Moon

1789 – Nathaniel Moon is in names of the residents of Beaver Township, PA
from Annals of Buffalo Valley

1789 - Will of Samuel Horn, of Greene County, North Carolina (later Tennessee),
of 1 May 1789. Executors were Andrew Horn and John Moon
(Jefferson County Wills, 1: 77-78). Included in the estate inventory was "One debt
due the estate of Michael Inggill of Pennsylvania in the County of Northumberland
which the said Samuel Horn decd went to collect...
(Jefferson County Wills, 1: 214-217).

1790 Nathaniel Moon and Robert Moon in Northumberland Co, PA tax list

1800 Nathaniel Moon and Daniel Moon,  Jefferson County TN tax list

1800 - Pennsylvania Septennial Census, 1779-1863, 1800 Greene Co PA - Gasper Moone (?)

1810 – Greene County PA census  Gasper Moone

1824 – Caspar Moon is listed in the minutes of the Big Pigeon Baptist Church, Cocke County TN

 

 

 

 

 

Information about Jasper Moon of Sevier Co TN to MO

 

1808 – Jasper Moon land grant of 168A on Flat Creek, Sevier Co TN

1808/1809 - Jasper Moon and John Murphy- Early land registers South of the
French Broad and Holston, 168 ¼ acres

1813 – William Moon, Jonas Moon, John Moon, Samuel Moon and Jasper Moon
signed a Petition from Residents of French Broad and Holston Country Regarding
Indebtedness

1821 – Knoxville Register, page 1, July 17, Sheriff’s sale notice of land owned by
Thomas Welch to satisfy judgment and costs recovered by Jasper Moon against
Welch in Sevier County.

1832-1840 - Jasper Moon, Early Tennessee land registers, 168 ¼ acres, Sevier County TN

1835 - Jasper Moon land record in Morgan Co MO

1835 - Will of William Canterbury in Sevier Co TN gives the Moon Place on Flat Creek
to his children (assuming Jasper sold this land to his neighbor Wm Canterbury before
moving to MO.)

 

 

 

 

John and Catherine (Kate) Leatherwood

John Leatherwood obituary 15 Mar 1956 Knoxville News Sentinel
Kate Leatherwood obituary 03 Jun 1928 Knoxville Journal

Moon relatives of Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois

The civil war split the Moon family of Sevier County TN. 

My husband's ancestor William Mitchel Moon served in Co I 2nd TN Cavalry USA.  William Mitchel's brother John served in Co A 3rd TN Cavalry USA.  John's service was cut short when he was accidentally shot and killed when a pistol went off in camp.  His death is recounted in the book "Loyal Mountain Troopers."

Their brother James Moon, however,  served in Co B 4th TN Cavalry CSA.  After the war, James settled in McDonough County, Illinois.  Many of his descendants still live there.

James's grandson John Moon served his country in WWII and lived to be  over 100 years old.  He was interviewed in 2014 for the Library of Congress's Veteran's History project.  You can read the transcript of his interview online.  Interview with John L Moon

James's daughter-in-law Sadie Moon, wife of his son Frank, became a local hero in her community by helping those who were sick or in need.  She was known as Mother Moon.  Today she is remembered by a scholarship in her honor and a local  memorial to women who have made significant contributions to the community. Women's Memorial - Sadie Moon

Susannah Moon Scott

This is a timeline of information concerning Susannah Moon Scott born about 1829 in Sevier County, TN.  While this is factual information taken from records, it outlines what appears to be a not so happy story for the life of Susannah and her sister Mary.  I often wonder why Asenith Moon married Tunis Scott.  She must have been duped or in dire straights. 

Susannah Moon is the daughter of William Moon and Asenith.  William Moon dies around 1841.  His widow Asenith remarries to Tunis Scott around 1842 (based on the age of David Scott in 1850).  (Asenith Moon - Sevier County Deeds 1846)

1850 Sevier County, TN Census - Susannah (age 21)  is in the household of Tunis Scott.  William and Asenith Moon's children are all listed here in the Scott family:  Susannah, Mitchel, Mary, Ludema, John, Malissa, James and Elisabeth.  Also listed are children of Tunis Scott and Asenith ( David, Matilda, and William/Wilson), children of Tunis Scott and Susannah (Martha, age 5 and Mary, age 2), and a child of Tunis Scott and Mary Moon (James).  The woman listed as Ceana Scott is probably Asenith.

1851 Susannah Moon deed as an heir of William Moon
1852 Mary Moon deed as an heir of William Moon
1852 William Mitchel Moon deed as an heir of William Moon
1852 Minor heirs of William Moon

Sometime before 1860, Asenith Moon Scott seems to have died.


Tunis Scott purchases land in Fentress County from David Greer.

1860 Fentress County, TN Census - Susannah Scott is in the household of Tunis Scott.  Also listed are the children of Tunis and Asenith (David and Matilda.  William is no longer listed), the children of Tunis Scott and Susannah (Martha, Mary, Zimaniah, Zephaniah, Alexander and Sarah) and Mary Moon with her children most likely by Tunis Scott ( James, John, William, Landon, and infant Spencer). 

Sometime around 1862-1863, Tunis Scott is shot and killed.

1870 Fentress County, TN Census - Susan Scott is listed with children Zimrod (Zimaniah), Jefferson (Zephaniah), Alexander, James, and Napolean. Napolean Scott was born about 1868 and not a child of Tunis Scott.

Mary Moon is listed separately in the 1870 Fentress County Census with her children.

1874 TN Supreme Court Case, John Greer vs. Susan Scott Estate Dispute (see Tennessee Supreme Court Cases)   John Greer regains possession of the property purchased by Tunis Scott.

1880 Fentress County TN Census - A woman named Susan Ford is living with Asa Johnson and a son named Napolean B.  I believe this may be Susannah Moon Scott.  This is the last record I find of Susannah/Susan Moon Scott.  She most likely dies in Fentress County.

Obituary of Thomas Hart

I found this obituary for Thomas Hart, the husband of Malissa (or Melissa) Moon Hart, in the Maryville Times, January 23, 1896.  Melissa Moon is the daughter of William Moon (abt 1800 - abt 1841) and Asenith of Sevier County, TN.  A picture of his headstone can be seen here:  Find A Grave Memorial # 83035273

This obituary can be found on the website Chronicling America at Chronicling America Maryville Times.

Obituary of Melissa Moon Hart

I found this obituary of Malissa (or Melissa) Moon Hart in The Maryville Times, December 12, 1913.  It references a brother who came to see her before she died, a Mr. Moore of Indiana.  I believe this is her brother James Moon who lived in Illinois.  My husband has two DNA matches to descendants of this James Moon.

This obituary can be found on the website Chronicling America at : Chronicling America Maryville Times

Malissa Moon Hart

I found this book online that gives information about Malissa Moon Hart:
Joseph Hart and His Descendants By Rev. Charles Coffin Hart (Published 1901).

Malissa Moon is the daughter of William (1810-1841) and Asenith Moon and the sister of my husband's ancestor William Mitchell Moon.  Chapter 2 gives the following information about Malissa Moon and her husband Thomas Hart:

Thomas Hart was born Aug. 28, 1825; died Jan. 22, 1896, aged 72. He united with New Providence Church Sept. 2, 1838, with his sister Abagail and his brother John. On Oct. 1, 1856, he brought to the old home, as his wife, Miss Malissa Ceneth Moon, and on the family homestead they spent a long and happy married life, and there his widow and three of their daughters still live (February, 1900). The house has been remodeled, but a part of the original structure-as built by the patriarch, Joseph Hart, in 1793-remains in good condition. A railroad has been built near the dwelling, thereby mutilating the farm. But the "old spring" is still there, supplying an abundance of pure water, as it did in 1792, when the land was first claimed. Thomas Hart led a consistent, godly life, and on Aug. 27, 1865 he was ordained ruling elder in Rockford Church, with which church in course of time, all his family became members. For many years he was a trustee of Maryville College, and had at heart the good of all religious and educational institutions. Nine children were born to Thomas and Malissa Hart: Margaret Eliza, Laura Josephine, Effie Cenith, William Edward, Cora, Belle, Thomas Samuel, Ella Blackburn and Nellie Jane (twins) and Jessie Ann.

Sevier County, TN and It's Heritage, Volume 2

Just got my copy of the new Sevier County Heritage book.  My article on the Moon Family is number 300!

William Moon's land grant 1808 - East Fork of Little Pigeon River

A recent email I received from a fellow researcher reminded me of a discovery I happened upon last fall.  I decided it was something I should post about here.  The researcher said, "I attempted to determine the location of the Wm. Moon farm from the legal description but was unable to do so.  Do you know where the farm actually was located?"  I realized that, possibly, I did know that.

My husband and I enjoy going to the public library in Knoxville to do research in the McClung Historical Collection. So we took a weekend last November to do just that. They have genealogy manuscripts that have been donated by previous researchers.  In the files of Christine Moon Armstrong, I happened upon a hand drawn map of land grants along the East Fork of Little Pigeon River.  It looks like it was drawn out on graph paper and in the upper right hand corner is written, "Plat" and a number that I can't decipher, possibly 12.  William Moon's 385 acre land grant is marked there along with those surrounding it.  These are all to the East of Sevierville.

Once I returned home, I realized that I had a larger map showing earlier land grants from 1806-1807.  However William Moon's land and the others in this area are not marked.  But, by comparing the two maps, I could tell where the smaller map showing Moon's land fit with the larger map.  Land grant number 25 for M C Rogers on the large map along with the one for James Cannon below it, are also noted on the smaller map.  And, the larger map had taken the land grants and overlayed them onto a map with some modern day land marks.  This helped me to identify where the land was located. 

Using a map website, some land marks and looking at the curve of the river, I think I can pinpoint the location of the land grant. It appears to lie between Witt Hollow Rd and Murrell Meadows Dr., north of the river.

I was delighted to find that there is a Bed and Breakfast Inn located on the property today.  This just might mean a future trip to Sevierville to stay on the land where my husband's ancestor originally settled!

John Moon of Sevier County TN b. Oct 29 1774 d. before 1837

I've been building an online tree for the Moon family on Ancestry.com and going through all of the info I've accumulated on each person as I enter them into the tree.  It is really helpful to see it in a time line fashion.  As I waded through the references I've found to "John Moon" from Sevier County TN during his life time, I begin to wonder how many different John Moons there might be.

I know that my John Moon was born October 29, 1774 because of information from the Sharp Collection at the McClung library in Knoxville.  One of John's nephews, William Harvey Moon (son of Jonas Moon), wrote a letter to his brother Thomas J. Moon giving birth and death dates of their grandfather, father, uncles and aunts.  This letter was transcribed and is in the Moon folder of the Sharp Collection.

John Moon signed a 1799 petition of Sevier Countians to the TN legislature.  My John would have been 25 years old.  This could be him.

In 1803 there is a reference to John Moon owing taxes on 100 acres of land in Sevier County.  Not sure if this is my John or not.   His father William received a land grant in 1808, but not sure if John himself owned any land at this time.

In 1807 a John is listed as a member of the Forks of the Little Pigeon Baptist Church, along with Jonas (his brother), Lydia (Jonas's wife), Nathaniel Moon, Saffire Moon (possibly his mother Sophie), and Susanna Moon (his wife).  I am pretty sure this is the same John described in the letter.  In 1825 the church minutes related a dispute being settled between brothers John and Jonas Moon over their deceased father's estate.

However, other references to John Moon in the same church minutes are confusing.  In January 1826 the church granted John Moon liberty to preach.  In February 1826 John Moon and his wife Polly were granted a letter of dismission.  And in October 1826 the church granted John Moon leave to preach the gospel "where so ever his lot may be cast."  First, the wife's name is given as Polly and not Susannah.  And the dismission implies they were leaving this church, perhaps to go preach elsewhere.  Is this a different John Moon from the brother of Jonas?  Perhaps John's son, John Jr?  Is this the John Moon who married Perlina Haggard and moved to Missouri that other researchers are tracing back to Sevier County?

Next, John Moon receives a land grant in 1827 adjoining the land his father was granted.  This doesn't sound like someone getting ready to leave the area.

John Moon is listed in the 1830 census for Sevier County.  There is also a John Jr and a William Moon listed in Sevier County who are about the same age, married with small children.  I assume these to be John's sons.


By 1837, I believe John Moon b. 1774 has died.  The tax list for the 4th district lists Susannah (his wife) and William (his son).  Another John Moon is listed in the ninth district, perhaps John Jr.

Going backward a bit, in 1813 John Moon signed another petition to the TN legislature. This is most likely John b. 1774.

In 1820 the Manufacturers census lists a John Moon in Sevier County operating a still.  John b. 1774 would be about 46.  John Jr. would 15-20 years old maybe.  Or is this another John?

There is a Jasper Moon who received an early TN land grant on Flat Creek.  The minutes of Bethel Church, which I believe is near Flat Creek, has references in 1825-1827 to both a Jasper and John Moon.  This seems to be a third John Moon.

The Moon sisters

Ruby and Thelma Moon

daughters of Walter Moon and Lillie Leatherwood

Ruby Moon was born April 13, 1911 and died May 28, 2001.

Thelma Moon was born February 8, 1920 and died January 24, 2005

The Moon brothers in the 1940s

Jay, Ray, Toy, Roy, Lester, and Theodore Moon

The sons of Walter Moon and Lillie Leatherwood

1940s Knoxville, TN

Theodore Moon - born September 14, 1909 - died October 1,1990

Lester Moon - born April 1, 1913 - died June 2, 1997

Roy Moon - born March 7, 1922 - died August 12, 2000

Toy Moon - born March 7, 1922 - died July 30, 2007

Jay Moon - born January 6, 1925 - died January 26, 1986

Ray Moon 

Walter Moon and Lillie Leatherwood

Walter Moon and Lillie Leatherwood were married November 29, 1908 in Sevier County, TN.  They divorced after 1930.

Walter Moon (1885-1958)  is the son of John Moon and Dialtha Shrader.
Lillie Leatherwood (1887-1956) is the daughter of John Leatherwood and Catherine Trotter.

Petition Sundry Inhabitants South of French Broad River 1789

In 1789, William Moon (1744-1822) and his son Jesse signed their names to a "Petition Sundry Inhabitants South of French Broad River".

Petition


A good description of this area is given on the TNGenWeb Project Surveyors' Districts

In 1807/08 William was given land grant No 268 by the State of Tennessee, Sevier County, for 385 acres of land in the district South of the French Broad and Holston. (Sevier County Land Grants, Book 1-1, page 236)

Heirs of Mitchel Moon quit claim deed

Mitchell Moon heirs, Sevier County, TN, Deeds

Received for registration Dec 16, 1896 at 8 o'clock a.m. and registered the same day. Sam M. Williams Register

State of Tenn., Sevier County,  Know all men by these presence that we John Moon, Violet Lindsay of the state of MO, Ira Cattlett and wife Nancy Cattlett, Elijah Cattlett and wife Elzie Cattlett, J.R. Parrott and
wife Eliza A. Parrott, Houston Flinn and wife Martha E. Flinn, Wm.Sims and wife Mary Sims, and James Moon all of whom are body heirsof Mitchel Moon decsd or married into his family do this day quit claim transfer and convey unto Wm. C. Moon his heirs and assigns forever the following described tracts or parcels of land lying in the 15th civilDist. of Sevier County, Tenn., on the waters of Flat Creek and being lot 3 in the division of the said Mitchel Moon farm, and was drawn by the said Wm. C Moon and is bounded as follows:  Beginning at a stake in said creek and comes to lot 2 thence down said creek with its meanderings N 36 W 43 to a stake in same, thence N 9 W 8 poles to a stake in same, thence N 47 W 12 poles to a stake in same thence N 43 W 3 poles to a stake in same, thence S 67 1/8 W 623 poles to a stake thence N 87 W 11 poles to a beech thence N 53 1/2 W 203 poles to a stake on the old line, thence S 36 W 14 poles to a rock, S 60 W 80 poles to a stake on lot 2 thence N 77 E 63 poles to a sweet gum, thence S 76 E 13 1/2 poles to a stake thence N 75 E 21 poles to a stake thence N 61 E 12 poles to a beech, thence N 86 E 9 poles to a stake thence N 69 E 17 poles to a stake thence S 52 1/2 E 14 poles to a stake thence N 66 E 50 1/4 poles to the beginning containing by estimation 34 acres more or less.  To have and to hold the same to the said Wm. C. Moon his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever excepting the following products off of said land annually   : 8 bar. of corn, 2 bar. of wheat, $1.00 in money which goes to help support Mahala Moon widow of said Mitchel Moon Dcsd. during her natural life.  A wagon road shall be kept open down Sugar Camp hollow and on down to the ford of the creek for the benefit of the holders of hares on west side of the creek there shall be a wagon road from the ford to lot 4, the fence between lot 3 & 4 which is near or about the line shall be a partnership fence.  This March 35th, 1896
M. E. Sims (her mark)                         
Elzie Cattlet (her mark)
L. A. Parrott ( her mark)
N. M. Cattlett ( her mark)
M E. Flinn (her mark)

J.C. Catlett
W.J.B. Sims
Elijah Catlett
J. R. Parrott
J. T. Moon
J.H.Flinn
J.C. Moon
J.C. Moon, Atty

Mary E. Moon Simms, daughter of Mitchel and Mahala Moon

Sevier County Public Library - brides and grooms index
SIMS, W. J. B.      MOON, M. E.      01/31/1891


Mary Moon is the daughter of William Mitchel Moon and Mahala Patterson Moon. 

William Moon 1744-1822

William Moon 1744-1822 Genforum posting

Residency of William Moon 1744-1822 Genforum posting

These are excellent postings by Ronny Bodine on Genforum from several years ago.   The letter he refers to is part of the Sharp Collection, Moon Folder at the McClung Library in Knoxville,TN.

Moon Family Pioneers newspaper article

This article was sent to me by fellow researcher Benton Fletcher.